Fuse clamping means



1944- E. w. LANDMEIER V 2,355,085

I FUSE CLAMPING MEANS Filed Sept. 15, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lnsuzation 34 lhsulaiion Insu a8 4 5 l 1, Insulation INVENTORII E 'dwa'n WL analmeier.

pAug- 1944- E. w. LANDMEIER 2,355,085

FUSE CLAMPING MEANS Filed Sept. 15, 1941 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Insulation Patented Aug-8, 1944 FUSE cums Imus Edwin W. Landmeler, Covlngton, Ky, assignor to The Wadsworth Electric Mann! Compony, Covington, Ky., a corporation of Kentacky Application September 15, 1941, Serial No. 410,809

s Claims. (01. 200-134) The present invention relates to fuse clamping means and has for an object the provision of simplified and efllcient mounting of cartridge type fuses.

Another object of the invention is to provide means to establish between the fuse terminal member and the conductor member of the clamp a narrow linear area of uniform heavy positive pressure contact to avoid power loss and reduce heating of the parts.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for the pu poses stated that are fabricated from metal stampings, at least part of which may be of steel.

Still another object of the invention is to provide means that materially simplifies the mounting of the fuse clamp and the associated cable connector.

These and other desirable objects are attained by the means described herein and exemplified in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig; 1 is a. side elevational view of a cartridge type fuse supported on an insulating base by fuse clamps of the invention embodying cable connectors.

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken pn line 2-2 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 4 is a side elevational view of .e. simplified form of fuse clamp of the invention with the terminal end of a fuse mounted therein.

Fig. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken 5-5 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmental side elevational view of a fuse mounted on an insulating base by a modifiedform of fuse clamp of the invention embodying a solderless cable connector.

Fig. 7 is a view taken on line l of Fig. 6.

Fig. 8 is a fragmental side elevational view of a fuse mounted on an insulating base by another modified form' of fuse-clamp of the invention in association with a known solderless cable connector.

Fig. 9 is a view taken on line 9-9 of Fig.8.

I Fig. 10 is a fragmental side elevational view of a fuse mounted on an insulating base with a still further .modification of the fuse clamp of the invention with a known type of solderless connector supporting the fuse clamp.

Fig. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken on line lll| of Fig. 10.

Fig. 12 is a fragmental side elevational view of a fuse and a known type of solderless connector operatively associated on an insulating base by an all-steel embodiment of the fuse clamp of the on line invention.

Fig. 13 is a view taken on line l3-l3 of Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a side elevational view of a ferrule type cartridge fuse mounted on an insulating base by means of another embodiment of the fuse clamps of the invention.

Fig. 15 is a view taken on line |5I5 of Fig. 14.

Fig. 16 is a fragmental side elevational view showing another modified form of fuse clamp.

Fig. 17 is a view taken on line ll-ll of Fig. 16.

Fig. 18 is a fragmental side elevational view showing a modified form of clamp hook.

The clamping of protective fuse terminals under positive mechanical pressure has been proposed for the purpose of avoiding power loss, heating and accompanying disadvantages which occur when the fuses are mounted in resilient fuse clips and the fuse jaws. The fuse clamping devices heretofore known and proposed have endeavored to establish pressure contact between a surface of the fuse terminal and a surface of the copper or other member of high electrical conductivity which forms part of the fuse clamp. Such devices are expensive because they are con structed with relatively large cast metal parts and require machining operations. They have the inherent disadvantages of lower conductivity of the casting alloy compared to drawn copper and of non-uniformity of surface contact with the fuse terminal if the parts are bent or develop an uneven surface, as is very frequently the case.

The present invention avoids the disadvantage of high cost and non-uniform pressure contact by utilizing elements formed less expensively from stampings and by so arranging them with relation to the fuse terminal in use that uniform positive pressure contact is established between an edge of the fuse terminal and a surface of the fuse clamping means or vice versa. This, in effect, provides a relatively thin uniform line of pressure contact between the parts through which current passes with greater efficiency. Furthermore, practically all surfaces of the cooperating contacting elements which-are not under uniform pressure are exposed for ready dissipation of the reduced amount of heat produced. The increased efiiciency is indicated in tests showing temperatures at the critical points which are several degrees lower than in other known structure under similar load conditions.

Several embodiments of the invention are i1- lustrated, showing its adaptability to a variety of conditions using cartridge fuses with terminals of blade type and ferrule type and with cable connectors associated or integral therewith in order to obviate the necessity for a separate base conductor piece in order to operatively mount the parts on an insulating base. Ihe embodiments shown are by way of example and the invention is not to be considered as restricted to the spe cific examples since it will be apparent to those skilled in the art to vary the manner of mounting of the fuse clamping means to suit the particular work at hand.

The device consists essentially of a body arranged to position the fuse terminal to be clamped and a clamp for the terminal connected to the body by a screw whereby a narrow line or strip of uniform positive pressure contact is established between the current conducting parts and with no mutual contact between the respective extended sidewall surfaces of said parts. The said connection is referred to hereinafter as pressure line contact as distinguished from the comparatively non-uniform contacts that are attainable under ractical conditions by bringing together two relatively extended surfaces under pressure. The body portion of the device is in most embodiments formed of stampings of copper or other metal of high conductivity and affords the seating edge or the seating surface against which a surface or an edge of the fuse terminal is disposed under pressure line contact. The clamp may be of any material of suitable strength such as a steel stamping and the binding screw may be an inexpensive iron screw. In Figs. 12 and 13 I have illustrated a modified form of the device wherein both the body and the clamp are formed of steel stampings arranged to. receive the lug of a copper switch jaw as shown, or the lug of a solderless connector, between them so that the lug forms the seat for the fuse terminal.

Referring now to Fig. 1, 20 indicates a cartridge fuse with blade terminals 2|. The body 22 is a copper stamping with an upright end portion 23 slotted to provide a finger 2 and a lug 25 between which. the blade If is positioned in edgewise relation on an integral contact seat 'surface 25. The finger 2d and lug 25 are made of unequal height to permit easy introduction and removal of the fuse relative to its position in the clamp after a limited loosening of the clamp hook and clamp screw as will be hereinafter more readily understood. The bottom of the slot 2'! is at approximately the level of seat Legs 28 and 29 connect at their topswith seat 28 and said legs have feet 30 and 3! respectively, which rest upon insulating base 32. A screw it passes upwardly through the insulating base and is threaded through foot l and into a suitable solderless connector which acts as a nut and is precluded from turning by engagement of the edge thereof with the base of leg 29.

A steel clamp has a hook portion Bi? and an angularly disposed leg 3?. An iron screw 38 passes through the body of the hook 3t and extends along the inside face of leg ti and then is threadedly passed through the foot 36 of body 22, at St and into a recess All in the insulating base 32. a 7

With terminal blade 2! positioned as will be understood from an inspection of Fig. 2, the hools 36 may be engaged over the top edge of the blade and pressure applied by tightening screw 38. The requisite heavy pressure for establishing the uniform pressure line contact between the edge of one member and the surface of the other member (e. g., the edge of the blade terminal and the surface of the seat) is easily applied by turning the screw with an ordinary screw driver. In

aseaoec practice, the contacting edge of the blade actually levels off any slight surface irregularities in the seating surface under the applied pressure of the clamp, as indicated by the smooth imprint of the edge of the terminal in the surface of the seat when the fuse is removed.

The several parts of the device may be used in a removably assembled condition, if desired. I prefer to arrange the parts so that the clamp is retained for limited free movement below the head of the screw and also to peen over the end of the screw after passing it through the threaded bore in the body of stamping 22. The parts are thus made inseparable. To retain the clamp, as indicated, the screw 3 has a reduced shank diameter at ll for a short distance below the head and the bore 42 in the clamp is distorted after the reduced portion M is in position. This is accomplished by pressing the metal of the clamp from opposite sides at l3 so that the bore assumes a narrow oval shape which cannot pass the shoulder M which may be constituted by the end of the threads. By this arrangementor any other suitable shoulder means beneath the assembled clamp the clamping or releasing of the fuse terminals is facilitated.

The foregoing arrangement may be carried out optionally in part or in its entirety in all of the modified forms of the fuse clamping means, hence repetition is unnecessary in the remaining description and the parts are referred to by like reference numerals throughout.

The strength and effectiveness of the simple 1 clamp is attained in art by disposing the clamping screw so that the terminal may contact and support the screw on on side, while the lower end of the inside face of the clamp presses against the screw shank diametrically opposite. This pressure resists bending strain on the screw shank and also binds it against loosening under vibration without the use of lockwashers.

In. Figs. 4, 6, 8 and 10 the stampings of high electrical conductivity, corresponding generally to the previously described body 22, have the seat for the blade of the fuse terminal joining at approximately right angles with the upright finger and lug which position the terminal on the seat. The clamp screw is threaded through the seat closely adjacent the pressure line contact area. of the seating surface in these embodiments.

In the specific embodiment of Fig.4 the body 45 has seat portion 46 with the finger ll and lug 46 at one end of the seat while the metal at the other end of the seat is turned up and then angularly outward to form a perforated mounting bracket 49.

The device of Fig. 6 has the body 5% with a seat portion 5! with upstanding finger 52 and lug 53 at one end and a downwardly and. outwardly turned foot portion 54 to which a solderless connector 55 is permanently secured in suitable fashion, as shown for example in my United States Letters Patent No. 2,173,206, issued September 19, 1939*. In this embodiment the insulating base 56 is recessed at 5? to seat the bottom of said connector 55 and the entire device is securely held and retained against turning with a single screw 58 which passes upwardly through the in sulating base into said connector 55.

The device of Fig. 8 comprises a stamping 59 with a foot portion 60 adapted to rest on an insulating base SI and to have a solderless con- .nector 62 seated on top of the said foot portion. A bolt 63, passing up through the insulating base.

shown) extends through the said foot and connector and both are tightly secured in position by nut 64. In this embodiment a support sleeve 65 is disposed between the base and the bottom of the contact seat portion 66 and a screw 6! extends upwardly through the base and sleeve and is threadedly engaged in the bottom of contact seat portion 6 6.

The modification shown in Fig. 10 has the body 61 arranged with the foot 68 resting on the copper cable connector 69, these parts being secured in position on an insulating base 10 by bolt II and nut 12. A screw 13 is inserted through foot 68 and into connector 69 to preclude turning of the fuse clamping device about the bolt H.

In Fig. 12 I have shown a fuse clamping device constructed of steel stampings entirely wherein the body 12 has a modified arrangement whereby the offset lug 13 of a copper switch jaw seats on and is secured on top of body-l2 and is positioned to form the contact seat at it. The body 12 has a U-shaped foot 75 with finger l5 and lug 1'! arranged to position the blade terminal ll of a fuse in an edgewise seating position on seat N. A screw 18 passes upwardly through insulating base 19 and is threaded into foot 15. A table portion 80 is connected to the top of the U-shaped foot at one end and has a spacing leg 8i at the other end. A small screw 82 holds the parts against turning and a screw 83 binds the switch jaw to the insulating base. The clamp screw 38 functions in the same manner as hereinbefore explained. v

In Figs. 14 and 15 I have shown the body and clamp adapted for use on the ferrule type terminal of a cartridge fuse. he copper body 84 has a foot portion 85 with a threaded bore 86 to receive the iron clamping screw 8'5 which may extend into the insulating base 88. A bore 89 in the foot accommodates another screw (not shown) whereby electrical connection is made with any suitable connector or bus bar (not The steel clamp 90 has a leg El which depends alongside an iron clamping screw 8'! and contacts the same in the fashion described hereinbefore. The integral hook 93 conforms approximately to the contour of the ferrule terminal at of cartridge fuse 95 and presses the surface of said terminal upon the arcuate contact edge 95 of an upstanding lug 9'1. I provide an end lug 98 to limit the movement of the ferrule and position the latter to secure the desired positive pressure line contact between edge 96 and the surface of the ferrule when the clamping screw 8'! is tightened.

. The devices illustrated in Figs. 16, 1'7 and 18 are arranged to clamp the ferrule type terminal of a fuse from the end, instead of from the side as in Figs. 14 and 15. The insulating base 99 is in this instance illustrated as arran d to have the fuse clamp body mounted. on the top at the edge thereof with the cable connector Hill of the fuse clamp mounted on an L-shaped tang I02 which connects at an acute angle at m3 with the horizontal portion l 04. The right angle bend is arranged to abut the edge of the insulating base 89 andeffectively stabilize the body I00 against turning when the U-shaped foot I6 is secured by a single screw ill! which passes upwardly through base 99 for threaded engagement in said foot. The upstanding lug I08 which forms one end of the .U-shaped foot has an arcuate contact edge [08 upon which the circumference of a ferrule terminal of corresponding circumference may seat in the manner indicated in Fig. 15. However, in order to further illustrate the application of the principle of my invention I have shown the ferrule terminal B of greater circumference which contacts longitudinally along the two short edges III at oppos te ends of arcuate seat )9. Under heavy positive clamping pressure the eflicient current carrying capacity of the device clearly illustrates that the pressure line contact may be discontinuous if desired.

The clamp hook H2 has a depending leg H3 and a hook H4. The hook is bent arcuately along its free edge [l5 so that it may exert its pressure relatively opposite the line pressure contact area or areas. The clamping screw H6 15 threadedly passed through horizontal portion E04 of the body 506 and the insulating base is recessed as at ill to accommodate the end of the screw. The screw H6 and a corresponding screw of the companion fuse clamp (not shown) serve as end stops to accommodate cartridge fuses of the size illustrated.

In Fig. 18 I have shown the body EM identical with the previously described body, but have shown a substituted hook H8 which is U-shaned, the bottom leg H9, being perforated to pass the screw HE and extending beyond the screw, serving as an end stop to accommodate a shorter cartridge fuse Ell of the ferruletypeQ In this illustration the circumference of the terminal may be smaller and a single short pressure line contact is established between the fuse terminal and the seat E lid.

From the foregoing, it will be readily understood that inexpensive and exceptionally efficient fuse terminal mountings may be provided to meet the requirements of practically any desired installation of protective fuses of the cartridge type all within the spirit of this invention and within the scope of the ensuing claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A. fuse clamp comprising a contact member, means to support a fuse terminal member with respect to the contact member so that an edge only of either of said members seats against a surface of the other of said members, and screw pressure clamping means for binding the seating portions of said members in uniform positive pressure line contact, the remainder of said ineznbers being exposed and free of mutual con- 2. ii fuse clamp comprising a contact seat member for an insert fuse terminal member, the contact seat member being fashioned with respect to an inserted fuse terminal to insure said members contacting only by abutment of an edge of one of said members on a surface of the other of said members, clamping means adapted to be hooked over the terminal member and extending downwardly toward said seat member and a pressure screw threaded into said seat member and disposed alongside and between the terminal and the downwardly extending portion of the clamp for exerting positive clamping pressure on said terminal.

3. A terminal clamp of the class described comprising a clamp member comprising a hook for extending over a. terminaland a leg extending alongside said terminal, a screw extending downwardly through the clamp hook portion member and between the terminal and said leg whereby pressure of the screw on the clamp exerts binding pressure on the terminal and supports the screw against the inserted terminal to resist bending at a point intermediate the ends of the screw.

4. A terminal clamp comprising a body providing a contact seat for an inserted terminal, means on the body to support the terminal in position on the contact so that an edge only of the terminal contacts said seat, a clamp comprising a hooked portion engaging the edge of the terminal opposite the seating contact and a leg extending downwardly alongside said terminal in spaced relation thereto, and clamping screw passing through the hooked portion and interposed in the space between said leg and said terminal and threadedly engaged in said body for exerting positive line pressure contact of the terminal on the said seat.

5. In a clamp for blade type terminals the combination of a stamped body of metal of high electrical conductivity, a stamped metal clamp member of high strength material and a screw, the body having a substantially flat contact seat portion and a finger and a lug spaced apart in a plane at right angles to said seat portion for positioning a blade type terminal in edgewise seating position on said contact seatportion, said clamp comprising a hook portion engaging over the non-seating edge of the said blade ter minal and a leg depending therefrom in spaced relation to the side of the terminal, said screw passing downwardly through the hook portion of the clamp and between said terminal and said leg and threadedly engaging in the said body for clamping the seating edge of the blade terminal in uniform line pressure contact with the contact seat portion of the said stamped body.

6. A terminal mounting clamp comprising a stamped body of metal of high electrical conductivity comprising a contact seat portion and a positioning means, arranged to dispose a cartridge fuse terminal on the contact seat so that only a portion of one edge of either of the said parts shall contact with a surface of the other, a hook shaped clamp for engagement over the terminal and a screw passing through the clamp and threaded into the said stamped metal body said clamp including a leg depending alongside the screw and contacting at its lower end on said screw closely adjacent the point of entry of the screw into the stamped metal body.

7. A fuse clamp comprising a stamped metal body of high electrical conductivity formed with an upturned arcuate edge portion for seating abutment with a greatly restricted surface area on the circumference of a ferrule type terminal, a clamp arranged for hooked engagement with the terminal in relatively opposed relation to the seating abutment of the terminal, and a screw passing through the clamp and threaded into said body for establishing positive line pressure contact along the said seating abutment.

8. A clamping structure comprising a stamped metal'body, a connector lug, said lug and body arranged in superposed relation, the uppermost of said superposed members being of high electrical conductivity and providing a contact seat surface whereon a terminal rests in edgewise abutment, means on the body to support said terminal in said position of greatly restricted mutual'contact area and a positive pressure clamp for releasably fixing the terminal in position under uniform line contact pressure.

9. In a fuse clamping structure the combination of a. hooked clamp member, a screw passing through said member, said screw shouldered beneath the head thereof whereby the said member aeoaoeo is loosely retained for limited movement vertically of the screw and a body member for seating a fuse terminal, said screw threadedly adjustable in said body for releasably clamping an inserted fuse terminal in positive pressure line contact only between the hooked clamp member and said body member.

10. In a fuse clamping means the combination of a stamped body of high strength metal having an upturned slotted end for the reception or a blade type terminal in edgewise relation. therein, a lug seating on the said body and adapted to receive said blade type terminal in. edgewise seating relation thereon, clamping hoolr' engaging over the blade type terminal, a clamping screw threaded into said body for effecting line pressure contact only between the surface of said lug and the edge of said terminal, and means securing said body and said lug together.

11. In a fuse clamping means the combination of a member of high electrical conductivity and a screw actuated hooked clamp cooperating means to secure a fuse terminal member thereto for establishing positive pressure line contact only between a narrow edge portion of either of said members and an extended sidewall surface of the other of said members and thereby afiording substantially complete surface exposure of both members for ventilation.

12. In combination a body, a screw threaded. into said body at the end, and a clamping member comprising a hook for engaging an inserted member to be clamped and an angularly related integral leg, the leg abutting the screw inter-- mediate its ends and exerting pressure against it for exerting shear strain on. the screw at a point remote from the hook and relatively close to the said body and for further binding the screw against loosening while under clamping strain.

13. A clamp for blade type terminals comprising a stamped metal body, a hook shaped clamp, and a screw, the body having a flat seat portion and a slotted portion for positioning a blade type terminal with its lower edge only contacting said flat seat portion, the clamp comprising a hook portion for engaging the top edge only of the blade type terminal and 'a leg depending from the hook in spaced relation to the side of the terminal, the screw passing downwardly through the hook portion and having the leg and the side of the terminal in tangential contact therewith, said screw threadedly adjustable into the body below said tangential contacts.

14. Fuse holding means consisting of a forked guide to position a fuse terminal blade, a base of conducting material related to said guide for effecting a highly restricted edge to surface line contact between said base and an inserted fuse terminal blade, and a screw retained clamp for engaging over the inserted blade and holding it in contact with the said base under ressure.

15. Fuse holding means consisting of a base of conducting material, means to position a ferrule type ."fuse terminal on the base for restricted edge ml and base and means extending upwardly from the base through the clamp and adapted for exerting positive pressure thereon for holding the fuse terminal in contact with said base'unuer pressure. 7

17. A clamping structure of the class described comprising a contact member, means to so position an inserted terminal member on said contact member that a portion of an edge of one of said members only abuts with a surface of the other of said members, andv positive pressure clamping means for retaining the restricted mutually abutting areas of the said members together under uniform positive pressure, said clamping means and said positioning means arranged for restricted engagement with such an inserted terminal.

18. In a fuse clamping means the combination of a stamped metal body having a flat seat portion intermediate its ends, means at one of said EDWIN W. LANDMEH'JR. 

